The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-22
AMANDA AND DICK.


A Husband and Wife Reunited Under Cir.
cumstances Decidedly Romantic.
Louisville Special.
Jefersonville gossips were yesterday morning
treated to a choice morsel in Tho shape of TO-
mantle and sensational marriage. While Mayor
Warder was still in bed, about o o'clock, serv-
ant raped at his door and informed him that
gentleman and lady were waiting in the parlor
for him TO marry them.
SHOW them in here" said the Mayor, think
ing they were Kentucky elopists. The visitors
were Mr.. Richard Mcdaniel and Mrs Amanda
Downs, and. after inspecting the license which
was handed to him. the Mayor, without lifting
his head from his pillow. pronounced them man
and wife
The story of their courtship is a strange one
and is bristling with romance. Thirty-two
years ago Richard Mcdaniel was a prosperous
young merchant of Jacksonville, and Miss
Amanda White was of the reigning bellies
They loved and were married. Everything Was
smooth and pleasant for fifteen years. wbe-,
the young husband formed the acquaintance az
a smooth rongued young gambler. who Pc
suaded him 20 invest some of his money in
faro bank. The game SO fascinated him that he
neglected his wife, his friends and his business
and finally became addicted to strong drink.
This too much Cor the young wife and.
while her husband was absent from the city
protracted Spree she secured divorce.
Mcdaniel read notice of the decree in an In
danapolis paper the next day and for the first
time a realization of the depth TO which he had
descended seemed to come upon him. He
turned TO Jeffersonville. sold out his business,
placed the proceeds in the bank, ana suddenly
and mysterously disappeared. Not a cent Of
his money. and he was worth in the neighbor-
hood of 500 goo, WAS taken, and he left his home
penniless. For seventeen years not a word or
line was heard from him. and his friends SUD-
posed him dead, but as he left no direct heirs,
an administrator was appointed for his estate.
which has ever since been becoming more and
more valuable.
In the meantime a sister of the divorced wife
died, and when her brother-in- law, VIM. Downs,
proposed that she become a mother to his chill
dren she consented. and they were married.
Then followed fourteen happy years. but two
years ago Mr.. Downs died, and she has since
devoted herself to caring for the orphans he in
trusted to her.
On last Saturday afternoon Mrs Down went
down IN the postofice to mail letter, and in
the crowd that usually fills that place she WAS
jostleo against a fineiooking, ll-dressed old
gentleman, who seemed to be stranger in the
city. 1t Richard Mcdaniel, now grown old
and gray. Their eyes met and the recognition
was mutual
'.Amaudain
"Dickw were uttered in almost one breath,
and they were locked in q fond embrace. Be
fore the astorished bystanders could recover
from their surprise the couple were walking arm
in arm toward Mrs. Downs's house. There Mr..
Mcdaniel told his story.
After leaving Jacksonville he drifted to Chi
caeo. and, being in a desperate frame of mind.
he did not care what became of himself. Being
without money and having resolved not to touch
a penny of his estate at home he secured posi-
ton as roustabout on one of the numerous sail
ing vessels plying on Lake Michigan With no
other object in life he devoted himself arduousiy
to this new business, and in time he was made
captain of the vessel. He saved his money,
bought steamers of his own, and some time ago.
finding himself rich a second time. strong de-
sire came upon him to visit the home of his
childhood. Hastily arranging his business at
fairs he boarded the cars, and Saturday after
noon found him the streets of the city hs
had left seventeen years before.
He again proposed, and for the second time
was accepted by the woman he loved. They
will make their home in Jefersonville in of
the many fine residences Mr.. Mcdaniel owns.
The old saying, 1T never rains but il poure." is
very true in this case. During Mr. McDaniel's
absence his grandfather, who lived some dis
tance out in the country, died. and left him n
other fortune The possessor of $500. 600
will now settle down 20 quiet life, and, together
with his good wife, who is still handsome, will
enjoy the happiness that for many years has
been withheld from them.